Deputies release name of bicyclist killed on US421

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the bicyclist who was killed in a collision on US421 near the Purdue North Central Campus Tuesday just after 9 p.m.

The driver of a Mazda told deputies he was traveling north on US421 at CR 200 S when his vehicle struck a person on a bicycle.

Deputies say based on evidence at the scene and witness statements, they believe the bicyclist was in the middle of the northbound lane of US421 and did not have any reflective clothing or gear on the bike.

The area is dark and there are no street lights.

The bicyclist was identified as 30-year-old Drew Schmidt from Valparaiso.

According to the La Porte County Coroner’s Office, toxicology testing indicated that Schmidt had the presence of opioids in his system at the time of the crash.

The driver tested negative for alcohol and was not cited for any traffic violations.